Manufacturers honor King at Carroll's Pella Corp.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, received the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Friday during a press conference at Pella Corp. Taking part in the event were (from left) Charles Sukup, president of Sukup Manufacturing; Jeff Heuton, human resources manager for Pella-Carroll Operations; King, and Myron Linn, manager of government affairs for Pella Corp. Daily Times Herald Photos by Doug Burns

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, and Jeff Heuton, human resources manager for Pella-Carroll Operations, talk during a visit to Carroll Friday. King was at the window-making facility to accept the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence.

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Monday, October 15, 2012

The National Association of Manufacturers selected Pella Corp. in Carroll as the location Friday to honor U.S. Rep. Steve King. R-Kiron, with the Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award.

King supported 89 percent of the policies identified by the national manufacturers organization as critical to the success of their businesses in the United States during the 112th Congress, said Charles E. Sukup, president of Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield.

Sukup said King possesses an “active understanding” of U.S. manufacturing.

About three dozen Pella officials and employees joined Carroll Area Development Corp. representatives at the presentation inside Pella operations in Carroll. Jeff Heuton, human resources manager for Pella Corp. in Carroll, presented King with the award.

“We thank Congressman King for ensuring that the manufacturing voice is heard in Washington,” said Pella Corp. governmental affairs manager Myron Linn, a former Kuemper Catholic High School teacher “It is leaders like Congressman King who know that manufacturers help drive vital economic growth, job creation and ultimately prosperity.”

Sukup said it is vital to have someone in Congress who appreciates what business like Pella Corp. contribute.

“We all know what the No. 1 occupation of our congressmen is — lawyers,” Sukup said.

For his part, King, who is not an attorney, started King Construction in 1975, a business his sons operate today.

King recalled being involved in the 1993 expansion of Pella Corp. in Carroll and battling the high waters of the flood-stricken period of Iowa’s history. King Construction had projects that year in Manilla, Lake View and Carroll, all facing challenges due to the floods, King said.

“It hasn’t all been easy,” King said.

King said he has worked as a legislator to reduce what he says are unnecessary regulations on American business.

“The private sector has to have a prospect for profit,” King said.

The award is based on key votes on issues such as energy policy, taxes and regulations, among others. Each key vote was selected by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Key Vote Advisory Committee, which is comprised of NAM member companies and associations. Members of Congress are notified in advance when key votes are pending and why the key vote designation has been made. The NAM is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.